In the garden with Chef Bob – Monastero Santa Rosa, Italy

During our visit this past June, our friend Alessandro from Caesar Augustus recommended we visit Monastero Santa Rosa because of the property, its location and Chef Bob. Once the discovery of us being bottomless pits when it comes satisfying our culinary curiosity, he highly recommended spending a little time with Chef Bob. Unfortunately, the weather would not allow for a visit in June. Three months would past before we’d experience the cuisine of Chef Bob. The wait was well worth it and I’m counting the days to our return.

Monastero Santa Rosa – “The Restaurant”

Finally, Ristorante Santa Rosa – – Mateo greets and seats us with an incredible view overlooking the gardens and the sea. Producing a wonderful wine list which held my attention until he started educating me on the local wines, I immediately realized his local suggestions would be the right thing to do. Like peacocks on high, we sat perched with eyes fixed on the incredible view filled with anticipation for the foretold culinary experience to unfold.

Sniff, swirl and taste, PERFECT and out walks Chef Bob. His greeting was genuine and filled with a sense of culinary adventure, which was all I needed to sense, as I was hungry and in need of our traditional two to three hour food fix.

Ristorante Santa Rosa – Patio

The Menu – Ristorante Santa Rosa

Mateo

Carta di vini

Guido Marsella 2011 “Fiano di Avellino”

Guido Marsella 2011 “Fiano di Avellino”

Before the fun began Chef Bob suggested we check-in on the staff as they were sent to pick tomatoes in the organic garden above Monastero Santa Rosa across the street. So off we went and there they were – – picking tomatoes and having a little “tomato fight.” As we stood in the doorway taking in this little playful exchange they spotted Chef Bob and me with the camera – – deer in headlights. But they smiled and I got this shot.

La Cucina Staff

We crossed the street, climb the stairs and entered this well manicured garden. Chef proceeded to gives us an overview of the vibrant vegetation and explanation of the assorted vegetables and fruit trees. Do forgive my inability to properly label the pictures from the garden. I was hungry and everything began to appear on a plate and not in its original state.

View of Monastero Santa Rosa from the garden

Chef Bob

Lettuce

The Garden

Chef Bob

Basil

Chef Bob

Heading back to la cucina

And now a little fun in la cucina as we await the feast that’s about to unfold……..